Prices, lack of supply, and high cost of living hasn't changed.

New construction SFH starts in the 300’s and while those won’t meet the 1% rule in the first few years of ownership, they will eventually and the lack of maintenance keeps costs down.

What’s more frustrating is the complete lack of available support.

Does this reflect a lack of interest or a lack of lots being available?

It depends on how price sensitive your market is  Also, you said there is a lot of competition.

In some cases, carriers might even offer multi-year rate locks, providing even more stability.The Downsides of Consolidating Your Insurance ProgramReduced Competitive PressureHaving multiple carriers compete for your business can help keep premiums in check.

This project highlighted our effective renovation and marketing strategies, yielding a solid return on investment in a competitive market.

There is no lack of opportunities for deals, there is only a lack of EFFORT, a lack in the "get off the couch and DO something".     

Investors who stay in tune with the local marketplace and apply the 70% formula as a guideline instead of a blanket rule will make their offers more competitive and their investments more lucrative.This post originally appeared on the BiggerPockets blog.

At the end of the day, there are a ton of local small banks that offer competitive HELOC products.